We established that the incidence of persistent right umbilical vein in a low-risk population is 1 : 526. We believe that the sonographic finding of this anomaly is an indication for conducting targeted fetal sonography and echocardiography. When the persistent right umbilical vein is connected to the portal system and other anomalies are ruled out, the prognosis can generally be expected to be favorable.

Objective To compare the efficacy of tocolysis with specific regimens of nifedipine and ritodrine. Maternal side effects and neonatal outcome also were evaluated. Design A prospective, randomised trial. Subjects Seventy‐one women, including 11 with twin pregnancies, who had uterine contractions and observed cervical changes. Main outcome measures Prolongation of pregnancy for 48 h, seven days and until 36 weeks of pregnancy were evaluated for each treatment. Maternal side effects and haemodynamic changes were compared, as well as neonatal outcomes. Results Delivery was delayed for 48 h, seven days, and until the 36th week of gestation in 83%, 67%, and 50%, respectively, of women in the nifedipine group, compared with 77%, 63% and 43%, respectively, of women in the ritodrine group (no significant difference). Maternal side effects were significantly less common in the nifedipine group (27%) than in the ritodrine group (77%) (P <0.001). The neonatal outcome was similar in the two groups. The fall in mean arterial and diastolic blood pressure, and the rise in maternal heart rate were significantly greater in the women who received ritodrine compared with those treated with nifedipine. Conclusions Nifedipine is as effective as ritodrine in suppressing preterm labour. Its use is associated with less frequent side effects.

Measurements by multiple examiners changes only slightly the average number of discrepancies between estimated and actual fetal weights. However, the reduction in major (> 10%) discrepancies is statistically and clinically significant.